Swimming aid

ABSTRACT

A combination of flotation elements enveloped in front and back panels of a vest-like garment for attachment to a child to expedite learning to swim and buoyantly support such child while so doing. The flotation units and panels are arrayed to tip head of wearer while in prone position partly into water while supporting the chin of the wearer to condition and expedite learning proper prone swimming positioning. The apparatus also buoyantly supports the wearer in upright position in water and, further, the buoyant units are arranged to condition and expedite a neophyte&#39;&#39;s accommodation to the supine position in water for swimming and floating.

United States Patent [1 1 Busby 1 SWIMMING AID Daisy H. Busby, Rt. 1,Claude, Tex. 79019 [22] Filed: June 17, I974 [21] Appl. No.; 479,901

[76] Inventor:

[ 51 Sept. 9, 1975 Primary EraminerTrygve M. Blix AssistantExaminer-Gregory W. O'Connor Armrney, Agent, or Firm-Ely Silverman 1ABSTRACT A combination of flotation elements enveloped in front and backpanels of a vest-like garment for attachment to a child to expeditelearning to swim and buoyantly support such child while so doing. Theflotation units and panels are arrayed to tip head of wearer while inprone position partly into water while supporting the chin of the wearerto condition and expedite learning proper prone swimming positioning.The apparatus also buoyantly supports the wearer in upright position inwater and, further, the buoyant units are arranged to condition andexpedite a neophytes accommodation to the supine position in water forswimming and floating.

7 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTED SE? 9 975 sum 1 0r 4 PATENTEI] SEP9 I975 saw 2 ar 4 NTGE PATENTED SEP W5 SWIMMING AID BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. The Field of the Invention This invention relates tobuoyant body supporting devices for use in swimming.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art has provided many buoyantapparatuses to support a non-swimmer in the water such as conventionallife-saving apparatuses; however, such apparatus have hindered theneophyte swimmer from assuming a proper position for swimming and nonehave provided an apparatus that. while providing buoyant support, aidsin the learner readily and easily achieving and maintaining properposition for swimming in prone position and also habituates the neophyteswimmer to a supine position in the water.

An object of this invention is to provide apparatus that not onlybuoyantly supports a swimmer or a nonswimmer in the water but alsoassists the wearer of such apparatus to achieve and maintain properposition for swimming in prone or supine position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Buoyant elements are located in a harness to befastened in adjustable manner at front and rear of torso of a wearerthereof to provide, in operative use of the apparatus, buoyant supportto the wearer in the front of the swimmer at hips and chin; and. at hisrear, above his waist and below his head. The head supporting elementfor use in the prone position is pivotally located so as to notinterfere with the wearer in supine position and the head supportingelement for use in the supine position is pivotally located so as to notinterfere with the wearer in prone position. The torso supportingelements are located and held to synergistically cooperate with thebuoyancy of the portions of the wearers body to permit that. in proneposition of the wearer, the wearer may control the depth to which hischin is forced into the water while supported on a buoyant element ofthe harness and, in supine position, the wearer may control the depth ofthe back of his upwardly facing head while his head is supported onother buoyant harness elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is an exterior view of theoverall apparatus 15 according to this invention; arrow IA on FIG. 2indicates the direction of view shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a view from the right side. along the direction of arrow 2A ofFIGS. 1 and 3, of apparatus 15 of FIG. I.

FIG. 3 is a view of the interior view of the apparatus IS; this view istaken along the direction of the arrow 3A of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the apparatus I5 worn by a neophyte swimmer14.

FIG. 5 is a side view taken along the direction of the arrow 5A of FIG.4 of the apparatus 15 as worn by a swimmer 14.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the apparatus 15 as worn by the neophyteswimmer 14. The directions left" and right herebelow set forth refer tothe directions as shown in FIG. 6 that is, left and right as observed bythe wearer 14 of the apparatus 15 except when reference is made to leftand right as shown in a particular figure.

FIG. 7 shows the wearer or neophyte swimmer 14 in prone position usingthe apparatus 15 while in a body of water 100. The dashed lines show analternate position of the legs of the wearer 14.

FIG. 8 shows the same swimmer l4 wearing the appa ratus 15 in anupwardly facing position in a body of water 100 and indicates in dashedlines an alternate extended position of the legs of the wearer.

All figures are drawn to scale and are drawn to the same scale for theapparatus shown in FIGS. l-3, for the erect figure to demonstrate therelations of the parts of the apparatus in FIGS. 4-6, and in FIGS. 7 and8 to demonstrate the operation and use of the apparatus.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged detail of the overall buckle shown in zone 9A ofFIGv 3.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-section along section 10A1OA of FIG. 1.

FIG. II is a horizontal transverse cross-section along section llA-IlAof FIG. 2.

FIG. 12 is a transverse l2Al2A of FIG. 3.

Dimensions of the exemplary embodiment 15 are set out in Table I.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The overall apparatus 15comprises a front assembly 16, a rear assembly 17, a neck assembly 18and a crotch section 19 in operative combination.

The collar assembly 18 comprises a front Cshaped unit 20 and a rearC-shapcd unit 25. The front C- shaped unit 20 has a circularly curvedperipheral edge 21 and an interior circularly curved portion 22concentric with edge 21 and a straight diametral left edge 23 and astraight diametral right edge 24. The rear unit 25 has a circularlycurved outer or peripheral edge 26 and a circularly curved inner edge 27concentric therewith and a straight diametral left edge 28 and astraight diametral right edge 29.

Each of units 20 and 25 is ovoid in transverse crosssection as alongsection l0A10A of FIG. I and is composed of a central flotation bodycore in 20. S6 in 25) of water-proof material such as rigid closed cellurethane foam of low density (of about 17 ounces per cubic foot) and adenim fabric cover as is used for panels 41, 42, and 61. The shape ofthe core is stable with the foam being of negligible water absorptionand tough. not brittle, with the denim fabric providing necessarysurface wear resistance and flexible connection between enclosed foambodies.

The rear assembly 17 comprises a sturdy, waterstable flexible rearfabric panel 41 and a rear float compartment 42 firmly attached thereto.The panel 4I is rectangular in shape and flexible. The compartment 42 istrapezoidal in transverse vertical section with outline as shown in FIG.5 and FIG. 2. Compartment 42 is composed of an outer or rear compartmentfabric panel 45 and left and right side compartment fabric panels 46 and47 and a top fabric panel 48. The bottom edge of the rear panel 45 isattached to the panel 41 along a seam 49. A float element 43 a closedcell foam like 50. is held within the compartment 42. The left and rightedges of the side panels (46 and 47) are firmly attached at their rearto the left and right side edges of the rear panel 45 and to the sideedges of the front panel 41 of the rear assembly 17. The top of thesection along section panel 41 is attached to the front edge of the toppanel 48; the rear edge of panel 48 and the top edge of the rear panel45 are firmly sewn to each other.

Belt loops 44.1 and 44.2 are provided on exterior surface of panel 41below seam 49 and at a distance from crotch equal to distance of straps78 and 79 therefrom. Loops 44.1 and 44.2 provide for locating the belts78 and 79 and additional belt loops 44.3 and 44.4 are provided below theloops 44.1 and 44.2 on either side of a center line of the panel 41.

A right neck strap 30 is firmly attached at one fixed end thereof to thetop of the right-hand edge of the panel 41 generally near to theright-hand edge thereof, as shown in FIG. 3, i.e., spaced away from suchrighthand edge by about one-fourth the distance from the right-hand edge41.1 to the left-hand edge 41.2 of the panel 41. The strap 30 has anadjustable overall buckle clasp 31 attached thereto near to the free endthereof and movable up and down along the length thereof. A front rightloop 32 is attached to the cover of front collar unit near to the rightedge thereof and the strap 30 passes through that loop. A rear rightloop 33 is attached to the cover of collar unit of the neck assembly 18near to the right edge 28 of that rear collar unit 25.

A left neck strap 35 is firmly attached at one fixed end thereof to thetop of the left-hand edge of the panel 41 generally near to the lefthandedge thereof, as shown in FIG. 3, i.e., spaced away from such left-handedge by about one-fourth the distance from the lefthand edge 41.2 to theright-hand edge 41.1 of the panel 41. The strap 35 has an adjustableoverall buckle clasp 36 attached thereto near to the free end thereofand movable up and down along the length thereof. A front left loop 37is attached to the cover of front collar unit 20 near to the left edgethereof and the strap 35 passes through that loop. A rear left loop 38is attached to the cover of collar unit 25 of the neck assembly 18 nearto the left edge 29 of that rear collar unit 25. Straps and are sturdycotton bands.

The front assembly 16 comprises an inner front panel 60 and an outerfront panel 61. Panels 60 and 61 are flexible, strong cotton fabric asdenim from which jeans are made, 8 ounces per yard, inches wide. Panelsand 61 are joined at the top edge 63 of the front panel and at thebottom edge 64 of the front panel and at the left and right edges (65and 66) of the front panel by strong sewn seams. The front panel 60extends beyond and above (above in the position of the wearer, as 14,shown in FIGS. 4-6, although shown as below in FIGS. 13) the upper edge62 of the panel 60. A spacer panel zone 69 between the upper edge 63 ofthe outer front panel 61 and the inner front panel 60 provides a basefor location of left strap button 67 and right strap button 68 to whichthe left clasp 36 and right clasp 31 are respectively attached.

The front panel 61 is provided with parallel vertical seams 72, 74, 76attached to provide for front vertical pockets 71, 73, and 77 located inseries pocket 71 betweer. the left panel edge 65 and seam 72; pocket 73between seams 72 and 74; pocket 75 between seams 74 and 76; pocket 77between seam 76 and the right edge of the panel 71.

Each of the pockets 71, 73, 75, 77 is filled with a rigid waterproof lowdensity flotation body as 52, 53, 54, 55, respectively, of the samecomposition and physical properties as core 50 in unit 20.

Crotch portion 19 is a flexible cloth panel of denim as panels 60 and 41and connects the bottom edge 80 of panel 41 to the bottom edge 81 ofpanel 61. Buttons 85.1 and 85.2 and button holes 86.1 and 86.2 providefor adjustment of length of the crotch portion 19.

When apparatus 15 is worn by its wearer, such as a neophyte swimmer 14,as shown in FIGS. 4-6, the front assembly 16 is positioned and supportedon shoulders 87 of the wearer 14 by the straps 30 and 35. The straps 30and 35 are attached by the buckles 31 and 36 to the buttons 67 and 68 ofzone 69 and serve to position and support the front assembly 16 with thelower edge (in FIG. 5) 64 of panel 61 at the level of the base of thefingers of the wearer 14 while the top edge 63 of the front panel 61extends to a level above the waist yet below the armpit of the wearer 14and usually at bottom of the sternum 90. The rear float compartment 42is located with its bottom seam 49 above the waist of the wearer andextends up to 1 to 2 inches below the level of the top of the wearersshoulder blades but below the level of his collarbone. The bands 78 and79 are joined at a firm knot 88 at the rear of the panel 41. The leftedge 65 and the right edge 66 of the panel 61 extend to a greater widththan the body of the wearer and the vertical seams 72, 74 and 76 arearranged to be positioned, as shown in FIG. 4, so that the lateral pockets. as 71 and 76, bend about the seams 72 and 76, respectively, so thatthe body of the wearer is cradled therebetween in the floating positionshown in FIG. 7.

In the erect walking position of the wearer. as shown in FIGS. 4-6, thefront collar unit 20 rests on top of the assembly 16 and the rear unit25 rests on top of the compartment 42. This arrangement provides forfreedom of motion of the wearer 14 in that he (or she) may turn his (orher) neck from one side to the other yet his (or her) area of vision isnot interferred with by the apparatus and allows mobility of the wearerwith this apparatus so that the neophyte swimmer may comfortably wearthe apparatus not only when he (or she) is in the water but also whenoutside of the water and is not bothered with removal thereof betweenperiods of time during which he (or she) is in the water. While knot 88is manually releasable, the left body strap 78 and right body strap 79are each attached at a fixed end thereof to the back surface of panel 60and are formed of sturdy, wide strong cotton straps.

The straps 78 and 79 being firmly attached around the waist of thewearer prevent shifting of the front float compartment portions so thatthe pocketed floats 52-55 of front assembly 16 do not shift from theposition thereof shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 or 7 and 8.

The length of each of pockets 71, 73, 75 and 77, as well as the width(see FIG. 11), is filled with core material thereof for flotation of thewearer. The pockets extend from their upper edge 63 located below thewearers armpit and preferably from immediately below the bottom of thelower edge of his (or her) sternum 90 to a lower edge 64 located belowthe crotch 91 (or lowest portion of pubic bone of hip) by a distancewhich is the vertical distance past the crotch 91 at which the distalend of the wearer's palms are located when the arms of the wearer are intheir extended vertical position and the wearer is standing in uprightposition. as shown in FIGS. 4-6. The position of the cores as 52-55 (ineach of pockets 71, 73, 75 and 77) and 43 (in compartment 42) relativeto the shoulders and crotch and hip bones of the wearer 14, aredetermined by the straps 30 and 35 in cooperation with the buckles 31and 36 which allow for adjusting the effective length of each such strapand buckle from attachment of fixed end at panel 41 to the buttons 78and 79.

The center of gravity and buoyancy of the buoyant material as 52-55 inthe pockets 71, 73, 75, 77 is substantially at the same vertical heightor level (in the position of wearer shown in FIGS. 4-6) as the anterioriliac spines of the hip bone of the wearer (89 on the left side) andslightly below the level of the navel of such wearer. The position ofthe buoyant material is maintained by straps 78 and 79 in the operativeposition of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 with crotch 19.

As shown in FIG. 7 for the prone position of wearer 14 with apparatus I5operatively attached thereto and in the water 100, the front collar unitpivots about the connection of loops 32 and 37 to straps 30 and 31 andextends forward to a position under the chin 96 of the wearer. Suchpositioning of the collar unit provides for some vertical support of thechin of the wearer and, to a definite but limited degree, keeps the nose97 and nostrils of the prone wearer l4 comfortably above the top level99 of the body of water I00. Accordingly, apparatus 15 provides that, onthe proper positioning of the legs, the wearers nose is kept above thelevel 99 of the water 20 although the botton of the chin 96 may not be.While support is provided at unit 20 via the prone wearers chin 96, theorientation of the swimmer's body 92 and location of the head 95relative to water level 99 are properly maintained not only by theflotation action and support of the assembly 16 but also by theextension of the legs 93 and 94 which serves to orient the body 92 ofthe swimmer I4 while keeping his nose 97 above water level 99. Thereby,the apparatus 15 provides for the orientation of the swimmer in theposition shown in FIG. 7 with head 95 in the water but with stablesupport of chin 96 on front collar unit 20 when the legs of the pronewearer are maintained in extended position, as shown in full lines inFIG. 7.

In the position of parts shown in FIG. 7, the wearers chin 96 rests onupper surface 120, between edges 21 and 22, of collar unit 20. In suchposition (full line) of the legs 93 and 94, the wearers torso issupported (like a lever on a fulcrum) upon the buoyant float elements inthe pockets 71, 73, 75 and 77 located so as to push upward on the hipbone area of the wearer in prone position; however, if the prone wearerslegs 93 and 94 are moved to the position therefor shown in dashed lines(93' and 94' in FIG. 7), the distribution of the weight of the portionsof the swimmers body is such that the swimmers head 95 is automaticallyraised from the water. This action conditions the wearer to keep hislegs extended and trains the wearer to swim by stably and reliablysupporting him (or her) in such a manner that avoids that he (or she) beafraid of the water by habituating the child to comfortably permit someimmersion of the head while assuming a posture that expedites learningto swim.

A characteristic of this apparatus is that the rear or dorsal extremity98 of the buttocks of the prone swimmer l4 well as the nose 97 ismaintained above the top level 99 of the body of water I00 by keepingthe legs extended, as shown in FIG. 7.

In the position shown in FIG. 8, with wearer in supine position, therear unit 25 pivots about its loops 33 and 38 and is located below theoperators head and pro vides support to the head of the wearer and therear compartment 42, which is above the waist, provides a substantialbuoyant support to the chest of the wearer.

The collar unit 25, in position of FIG. 8, rotates around its attachmentby the loops 33 and 38 to straps 30 and 35 to position of FIG. 8 fromposition of FIG. 5 and surface 110 (between edges 26 and 27) of collarunit 25 then (in FIG. 8 position) extends to below the rear portion 95.1of the wearers head because the width of collar unit surface 125, likecollar unit surface 120, is sufficiently large and properly spaced awayfrom the shoulder of the wearer for such location by virtue of theattachment of the loops of such unit (32 and 37 for unit 20, loop 33 and38 for unit 25) to the adjustable straps 30 and 35 and therethrough tothe panels 60 and 41 and by the lengthwise extension of the lateralportions of each such C-shaped collar unit 25 to support the wearershead with nose 97 and mouth 86 well above water level 99 in position ofparts shown in FIG. 8.

Because of the position of the buoyant core 43 above (as shown in FIGS.4-6) the waist of the wearer, the position and the weight of the wearerslegs serve to rotate the wearers body about a horizontal axis transverseto his height. In the full line position shown in FIG. 8, the weight andposition of the wearers bent legs pivot the wearers body about itsbuoyant support on mass 43 so as to slightly but definitely andcontrollably and gradually lower the wearer's head in the body of water100 while stably but adequately partially supported by collar unit 25with the wearers face directed upwardly and with wearers nose and mouthclearly above the water level (by about 2 inches) in the particularexample herein described.

When the wearers legs are extended into a position as in dashed lines inFIG. 8 wherein the knees are straight, and the thigh bones approximatelyparallel to the plane of the wearers collarbone 85 and the anteriorsuperior iliac spines of the hip bones, the head and shoulders of thewearer move counterclockwise (as shown by arrow 108 of FIG. 8) from thesolid line position of FIG. 8 to an upright position of the wearer withthe wearer's head substantially vertically above his (or her) hips andfeet.

In the upright position of the wearer 14, the body of the wearer 14 ispartially supported by the rigid buoyant units 43 and 52, 53, 54 and 55held in the fabric compartments therefor (42 and pockets 71, 73, and 77)which compartments are joined by the flexible crotch panel 19therebetween and firmly yet flexibly joined thereto. This partialsupport by the buoyant units of the wearer 14 in the upright position inwater is adequate to hold the wearers entire head and chin above waterlevel 99.

While, when the young swimmer has his legs extended, the entire body isrotated counterclockwise about a horizontal axis above discussed, whenthe legs 93 and 94 of wearer 14 are slowly moved to the position shownin the solid line in FIG. 8, the head of the young swimmer is slowlymoved clockwise into the water and extends more deeply therein. Thereby,by moving his (or her) legs in the clockwise direction, as shown by thearrow 103 in FIG. 8, the young swimmer may gradually and with confidenceincrease the depth of immersion of his (or her) head and is then, asShown in FIG. 8, comfortably supported in the water with eyes, chin andnose above water: by extending legs to position shown in dashed lines,the wearer quickly achieves a substantially upright position in thewater free of any concern of his (or her) head being immersed.

This action of apparatus on wearer 14 thus serves to automaticallycondition or teach the young wearer 14 to become safely and graduallyaccustomed and habituated to keeping his (or her) head in water whenfacing upwardlly (because such wearer is readily able to easily andquickly move to a comfortably safe upright position with head and nosecompletely out of water) and, thereby, the wearer is conditioned tofloat face-up with confidence and learn backstroke as well as floating.

The denim fabric used for panels 41, 42, 60 and 61 and straps 30 and 35is a twill with X 50 threads to the inch, each thread a multifilamentthread about 1/64 inch in diameter.

Other quick-drying cloth that is flexible and sufficiently soft to benot chafing to the wearers skin and dimensionally stably in water underthe light stresses applied thereto in the apparatus 15 may be used inplace of the particular cloth described herein for the panels thatserves as holders for the buoyant support members 50, S6, 43, 52, 53, S4and S5.

The buckles 31 and 36 are identical in structure so only 31 is heredescribed. Buckle 31 comprises a frame 130 and a loop 136. Frame 130comprises a top bar 131, a middle bar 132 and a bottom bar 133, eachfirmly attached to side bars 134 and 135. The bottom loop 136 isattached firmly to ends of bars 134 and 135. Strap passes under bar 131and around bar 133 and over bar 132 and is adjustably yet firmly lockedin place by friction with strap end portion 34, as shown in FIG. 9. Thisstructure of buckles 31 and 36 provides for adjustment of effectivelength of strap 30 (as does buckle 36 for strap to locate the upperedges of panels 41 and 60 relative to waist and hip bone of wearer 14 toprovide positioning action of apparatus 14 on wearer 14 as abovedescribed. Frame 130 is rigid and rigidly joined to rigid bars 131, 132,133 and rigid loop 136.

In a particular exemplary embodiment of apparatus 15 shown in thedrawings, dimensions are as in Table l hereinbelow.

TABLE I DIMENSIONS OF EMBODIMENT l5 Collar Unit 20:

TABLE l-Continued DIMENSIONS OF EMBODIMFNT 15 I claim:

1. A swimming apparatus comprising, in operative combination, a harnessfor attachment to the torso of a human wearer and an array of buoyantmembers, said buoyant members operatively held by said harness on thebody of said wearer.

I. said array of buoyant members comprising a first lower torso buoyantsupport member. a second rear upper torso buoyant support member, afirst rigid front buoyant head support member, and a second rigid rearbuoyant head support member. said buoyant members each comprising arigid waterproof low density flotation body;

2. said harness comprising a. a first front lower torso buoyant supportmember holder and said first front lower torso buoyant support memberheld thereby.

b. a second rear upper torso buoyant support member holder and saidsecond rear upper torso buoyant support member held thereby,

c. a first front buoyant head support member holder with said firstfront buoyant head support member held thereby,

d. a second rear buoyant head support member holder with said secondrear buoyant head support member held thereby,

e. a first lower connector member joining the bottom portions of saidfirst front and second rear buoyant torso support member holders, and

f. a pair of second upper connector members. each member of such pairoperatively joined to a top portion of the first front lower torsobuoyant support member holder and to a top portion of the second rearupper torso buoyant support member holder,

g. said harness extending downward from said upper connector memberadjacent said wearers neck to said lower connector member adjacent thecrotch of said wearer when the wearer is in an erect position. andwherein h. said first front buoyant head support member holder ismovably yet firmly connected to both members of said pair of said secondupper connector members by spaced apart front movable head supportholder connecting means opera tively connected to spaced apart portionsof said first front buoyant head support member holder. and each saidfront buoyant head support member holder extends from said front movablehead support holder connecting means in a direction transverse to a lineconnecting the said front movable head support holder connecting meanswhere connected to said second upper connector members, whereby thefront head support memher holder extends to contact and support thewearer's chin when said wearer is in prone position in water,

. said second rear buoyant head support member holder is movably yetfirmly connected to both members of said second upper connector membersby spaced apart rear movable head support holder connecting meansoperatively connected to spaced apart portions of said second rearbuoyant head support member holder. and said rear buoyant head supportmember holder extends from said movable rear buoyant head support holderconnecting means in a direction transverse to a line connecting the saidrear movable head support holder connecting means where connected tosaid second upper connector members. whereby the rear buoyant headsupport member holder extends to contact and support the rear of wearershead when said wearer is in water in supine position; and

3. said array of buoyant members arranged so that a. said first rigidfront lower torso buoyant support member held by said first front lowertorso buoyant support member holder extends from the bottom thereof foronly a portion of the length of said first front lower torso buoyantsupport member holder from its top towards its bottom and said lowertorso buoyant support member having a center of buoyancy located closerto the bottom of said first front lower torso buoyant support memberholder than to its top whereby to be applied against the front of thehips ofthe wearer when in prone position, and

b. said second rear upper torso buoyant support member held by saidsecond rear upper torso buoyant support member holder extends from thetop thereof for only a portion of the length of said second rear uppertorso buoyant support member holder towards the bottom thereof. with thelower extremity of said rear upper torso buoyant support member abovethe center of buoyancy of the front lower torso buoyant support memberwhen wearer is in erect position.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein one of said movable buoyant headsupport member holder connecting means comprises rigid buoyant portions.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first from lower torso buoyantsupport member holder is a flexible fabric panel and comprises aplurality of adjacent pockets, each extending from bottom toward top ofsaid holder and said plurality of pockets extends across the width ofsaid holder.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3 comprising belt means attached to said firstfront lower torso buoyant support member holder and belt holder meansattached to said second buoyant rear upper torso support member holder,said belt means adapted to be held by said belt holder means.

5. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first lower connector memberjoining the bottom portions of said first front and second rear buoyantmember holders is a flexible fabric panel and comprises means foradjusting the length thereof.

6. Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein each member of said pair of secondupper connector members is flexible and comprises means for adjustingthe length thereof and a releasable yet firm attachment means to a topportion of said first from lower torso buoyant support member holder.

7. Apparatus as in claim 6 so adjusted that the wearers nose and thedorsal extremity of the buttocks of the wearer are supported by the fromupper and front lower torso buoyant support members respectively abovethe level ofa body of water in which such wearer is floated when thelegs of said wearer are extended horizontally.

1. A swimming apparatus comprising, in operative combination, a harnessfor attachment to the torso of a human wearer and an array of buoyantmembers, said buoyant members operatively held by said harness on thebody of said wearer,
 1. said array of buoyant members comprising a firstlower torso buoyant support member, a second rear upper torso buoyantsupport member, a first rigid front buoyant head support member, and asecond rigid rear buoyant head support member, said buoyant members eachcomprising a rigid waterproof low density flotation body;
 2. saidharness comprising a. a first front lower torso buoyant support memberholder and said first front lower torso buoyant support member heldthereby, b. a second rear upper torso buoyant support member holder andsaid second rear upper torso buoyant support member held thereby, c. afirst front buoyant head support member holder with said first frontbuoyant head support member held thereby, d. a second rear buoyant headsupport member holder with said second rear buoyant head support memberheld thereby, e. a first lower connector member joining the bottomportions of said first front and second rear buoyant torso supportmember holders, and f. a pair of second upper connector members, eachmember of such pair operatively joined to a top portion of the firstfront lower torso buoyant support member holder and to a top portion ofthe second rear upper torso buoyant support member holder, g. saidharness extending downward from said upper connector member adjacentsaid wearer''s neck to said lower connector member adjacent the crotchof said wearer when the wearer is in an erect position, and wherein h.said first front buoyant head support member holder is movably yetfirmly connected to both members of said pair of said second upperconnector members by spaced apart front movable head support holderconnecting means operatively connected to spaced apart portions of saidfirst front buoyant head support member holder, and each said frontbuoyant head support member holder extends from said front movable headsupport holder connecting means in a direction transverse to a lineconnecting the said front movable head support holder connecting meanswhere connected to said second upper connector members, whereby thefront head support member holder extends to contact and support thewearer''s chin when said wearer is in prone position in water, i. saidsecond rear buoyant head support member holder is movably yet firmlyconnected to both members of said second upper connector members byspaced apart rear movable head support holder connecting meansoperatively connected to spaced apart portions of said second rearbuoyant head support member holder, and said rear buoyant head supportmember holder extends from said movable rear buoyant head support holderconnecting means in a directIon transverse to a line connecting the saidrear movable head support holder connecting means where connected tosaid second upper connector members, whereby the rear buoyant headsupport member holder extends to contact and support the rear ofwearer''s head when said wearer is in water in supine position; and 3.said array of buoyant members arranged so that a. said first rigid frontlower torso buoyant support member held by said first front lower torsobuoyant support member holder extends from the bottom thereof for only aportion of the length of said first front lower torso buoyant supportmember holder from its top towards its bottom and said lower torsobuoyant support member having a center of buoyancy located closer to thebottom of said first front lower torso buoyant support member holderthan to its top whereby to be applied against the front of the hips ofthe wearer when in prone position, and b. said second rear upper torsobuoyant support member held by said second rear upper torso buoyantsupport member holder extends from the top thereof for only a portion ofthe length of said second rear upper torso buoyant support member holdertowards the bottom thereof, with the lower extremity of said rear uppertorso buoyant support member above the center of buoyancy of the frontlower torso buoyant support member when wearer is in erect position. 2.said harness comprising a. a first front lower torso buoyant supportmember holder and said first front lower torso buoyant support memberheld thereby, b. a second rear upper torso buoyant support member holderand said second rear upper torso buoyant support member held thereby, c.a first front buoyant head support member holder with said first frontbuoyant head support member held thereby, d. a second rear buoyant headsupport member holder with said second rear buoyant head support memberheld thereby, e. a first lower connector member joining the bottomportions of said first front and second rear buoyant torso supportmember holders, and f. a pair of second upper connector members, eachmember of such pair operatively joined to a top portion of the firstfront lower torso buoyant support member holder and to a top portion ofthe second rear upper torso buoyant support member holder, g. saidharness extending downward from said upper connector member adjacentsaid wearer''s neck to said lower connector member adjacent the crotchof said wearer when the wearer is in an erect position, and wherein h.said first front buoyant head support member holder is movably yetfirmly connected to both members of said pair of said second upperconnector members by spaced apart front movable head support holderconnecting means operatively connected to spaced apart portions of saidfirst front buoyant head support member holder, and each said frontbuoyant head support member holder extends from said front movable headsupport holder connecting means in a direction transverse to a lineconnecting the said front movable head support holder connecting meanswhere connected to said second upper connector members, whereby thefront head support member holder extends to contact and support thewearer''s chin when said wearer is in prone position in water, i. saidsecond rear buoyant head support member holder is movably yet firmlyconnected to both members of said second upper connector members byspaced apart rear movable head support holder connecting meansoperatively connected to spaced apart portions of said second rearbuoyant head support member holder, and said rear buoyant head supportmember holder extends from said movable rear buoyant head support holderconnecting means in a directIon transverse to a line connecting the saidrear movable head support holder connecting means where connected tosaid second upper connector members, whereby the rear buoyant headsupport member holder extends to contact and support the rear ofwearer''s head when said wearer is in water in supine position; and 2.Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein one of said movable buoyant head supportmember holder connecting means comprises rigid buoyant portions.
 3. saidarray of buoyant members arranged so that a. said first rigid frontlower torso buoyant support member held by said first front lower torsobuoyant support member holder extends from the bottom thereof for only aportion of the length of said first front lower torso buoyant supportmember holder from its top towards its bottom and said lower torsobuoyant support member having a center of buoyancy located closer to thebottom of said first front lower torso buoyant support member holderthan to its top whereby to be applied against the front of the hips ofthe wearer when in prone position, and b. said second rear upper torsobuoyant support member held by said second rear upper torso buoyantsupport member holder extends from the top thereof for only a portion ofthe length of said second rear upper torso buoyant support member holdertowards the bottom thereof, with the lower extremity of said rear uppertorso buoyant support member above the center of buoyancy of the frontlower torso buoyant support member when wearer is in erect position. 3.Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first front lower torso buoyantsupport member holder is a flexible fabric panel and comprises aplurality of adjacent pockets, each extending from bottom toward top ofsaid holder and said plurality of pockets extends across the width ofsaid holder.
 4. Apparatus as in claim 3 comprising belt means attachedto said first front lower torso buoyant support member holder and beltholder means attached to said second buoyant rear upper torso supportmember holder, said belt means adapted to be held by said belt holdermeans.
 5. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first lower connectormember joining the bottom portions of said first front and second rearbuoyant member holders is a flexible fabric panel and comprises meansfor adjusting the length thereof.
 6. Apparatus as in claim 5 whereineach member of said pair of second upper connector members is flexibleand comprises means for adjusting the length thereof and a releasableyet firm attachment means to a top portion of said first front lowertorso buoyant support member holder.
 7. Apparatus as in claim 6 soadjusted that the wearer''s nose and the dorsal extremity of thebuttocks of the wearer are supported by the front upper and front lowertorso buoyant support members respectively above the level of a body ofwater in which such wearer is floated when the legs of said wearer areextended horizontally.